Sensors for monitoring movements, apparatus and systems therefor, and methods for manufacture and use

ABSTRACT

Sensors, apparatus, and methods for measuring movements are disclosed. The sensors include input and output windings wound about a common location and an armature is equally positioned relative to both windings movable to vary inductance reactance of the sensor. The mass of the sensor and the ease of movements are such that flexible membranes, such as skin, can be monitored with insignificant interference. The sensor can be included in “Band-aid” bandage arrangement in which the bandage backing can be removed and held in place on skin by the bandage. A monitoring circuit, responsive to the changes in sensor impedance, provides indications of the detected movements. The monitoring circuit includes an arrangement for self-adjusting parameters so that the system can be automatically preset and continually reset. The monitoring circuit includes a power savings arrangement.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to sensors for monitoringmovements in the form of deformations and displacements, apparatus,systems and method for use with the sensor, and methods for manufactureof the sensor, to provide control, visual, and audible indications ofthe movements, and more particularly to arrangements for measuring thechanges in flexible membranes such as for example skin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the ever increasing growth of automated systems used in varioustypes of industrial and medical systems, there is a need for new andimproved sensors and signal processing apparatus for monitoringmovements related to force, torque, speed, acceleration, contraction,expansion, deformation, displacement, and the like. There is also a needto miniaturize such sensors to make measurements not otherwise possiblewith large and bulky sensors. For example, when monitoring thedisplacements of small or fragile items, or when monitoring deformationsof flexible membranes such as skin, it is important that the sensormass, attachments, electrical connections, and its operation do notinterfere with the movements being monitored that might otherwisesignificantly impact the accuracy of the measurements.

Such sensors and signal processing apparatus should preferably besubject to low manufacturing costs, not require high tolerance fits formoving parts, provide a sizable range of linear operation, and yet berelatively rugged.

Linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) type sensors are widelyin use for making displacement measurements. A LVDT sensor is disclosedin the U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,364, issued on Jun. 1, 1993, entitled“Variable Transformer Position Sensor” includes mechanical structuresthat are useful for automotive shock absorbers but are too massive indesign to readily miniaturized or to be applied to monitoring delicateitems or flexible membranes. Miniaturized sensors based on the LVDTtechnology are disclosed in catalog publications by Micro-Epsilonentitled “Inductive Displacement Sensors and Linear Gaging Sensors,” andby Singer Instruments and Control, Ltd. entitled “SM Series LVTD.” Thesesensors include a primary or input winding and two secondary or outputwindings transformer coupled to a movable core.

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,147, issued on Mar. 5, 1996, and entitled“Differential Variable Reluctance Transducer,” and U.S. Pat. No.5,777,467, issued on Jul. 7, 1998, and entitled “MiniaturizedDisplacement Transducer Assembly,” and publication by MicroStrainentitled “Differential Variable Reluctance Transducer” (DVTR) disclosesensors that include two output coils and depend upon the differentialreluctance between the coils controlled by a movable core for monitoringdisplacements by using sine wave excitation and synchronousdemodulation. The close operating tolerances of the sensor require ahighly flexible core structure of super elastic material to achieve thefree sliding fit between the core and the coils to be robust tomechanical damage.

The U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,918, issued on Jun. 24, 1975, and entitled“Linear Displacement Transducer Utilizing An Oscillator Whose AveragePeriod Varies as a Linear Function of the Displacement,” includes asingle coil winding or two windings and a core as a variable inductance.One or both of the sensor windings controls the frequency of anoscillator circuit in a well-known manner to provide signals formeasuring displacements.

The sensors in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,364, and the Micro-Epsilon andthe Singer publications, and in a publication by Analog Devices entitled“LVDT Signal Conditioner AD598 (Rev A)” and a publication by David S.Nyce of Revolution Sensor Company entitled “The LVDT a Simple andAccurate Position Sensor” dated August 2005 disclose arrangements whereconstant sinusoidal excitation signals are applied to the primarywinding of frequencies of 20 Hz to 12 KHz, depending on the sensor, andwherein alternating current signals are induced in both secondarywindings with amplitudes depending on the core position that are addedor subtracted to generate measurement signals.

The Q (quality factor) of a coil is defined as the ratio of theinductive reactance to the resistance of the coil at a given frequency.Q is a measure of the efficiency of storing energy; the higher the Q themore efficient the coil. To increase the Q in the abovementionedsensors, either the frequency applied to the sensors is to be increased,or the sensor inductive reactance increased (by the number of coil turnssquared), or the sensor internal resistance is decreased. However, theminiaturization does not scale well due to Q restraints. As thedimensions of these sensors are decreased, primarily by reducing thesize of the wire, the internal resistance of the sensor coils increasessignificantly. It would be advantageous if the sensor design were notlimited by Q restraints, allowing miniaturization by the use of smallergauge wires with its inherent increase of internal resistance withoutmaterially impacting the sensor performance.

The sensor systems identified above disclose the continuous applicationof signals to the sensors and a continuous power supply for energizingthe signal processing circuitry. It would be advantageous if anarrangement would be provided that such sensor systems would requiresubstantial power draw only during signal and data processing. Anarrangement for reducing power consumption is disclosed in the U.S. Pat.No. 6,433,629, issued Aug. 13, 2002, entitled “Micropower DifferentialSensor Measurement,” wherein power for the system is temporarilydeveloped from a transmitted magnetic field for a duration to allow apulse to be applied to a Wheatstone sensor bridge circuit, a comparisonmade, and an RF signal transmitted for data processing. The disclosedpower generating arrangement is time consuming requiring rectificationand filtering of the magnetic field and the stabilization of the powersupply before signal processing is initiated.

The pulse energization of the sensor Wheatstone bridge circuitarrangement, as disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,433,629, requires thecomparison of signals based on a non-linear RC or LR exponentiallycurved decay rates.

Temperature variations or gradients place limitations on the absoluteaccuracy of variable impedance inductive sensors. For example, theintrinsic resistance of the windings of the sensor coils changes withvariations in temperature. In addition, the permeability of metallicsensor cores changes with variations in temperature introducing changesin sensor inductance. In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,593, issued on Jun. 22,1999, entitled “Temperature Gradient Compensation Circuit,” and UnitedStates Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0093537, published on May5, 2005, entitled “Circuit for Compensating for Time Variation ofTemperature in an Inductive Sensor,” such temperature sensitive changesin sensor impedance are electronically compensated by the use of aWheatstone bridge sensor circuit configuration including the applicationof AC and DC signals to the bridge circuit to obtain temperature offsetcorrection signals. It would be desirable if the sensors could beconfigured in circuit arrangements that provide self-temperaturecompensation.

In the field of medicine there is continual research and development forthe design of new equipment for monitoring body volume changes tomeasure internal physiological properties, such as the chest forproblems dealing with sleep apnea and the abdomen for pregnancy labors.The present solutions require the use of belt and/or vest type sensingarrangements. For sleep apnea the vests and belts surround the chesttorso such as disclosed in many United States patents, of which thefollowing are sample patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,932, issued Jul. 19,1994, entitled “Method of and Apparatus for Monitoring Respiration andConductive Composition Used Therewith,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,953, issuedNov. 7, 2000, entitled “Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography BandTransducer,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,225, issued Jul. 2, 2002, entitled“Quantitative Calibration of Breathing Monitors with Transducers Placedon Both Rib Cage and Abdomen,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,307, issued Oct. 8,2002, entitled “Disposable Sensor for Measuring Respiration,” and U.S.Pat. No. 6,551,252, issued Apr. 22, 2003, entitled “Systems and Methodfor Ambulatory Monitoring of Physiological Signs.” For pregnancy labors,the belts surround the abdomen such as disclosed in a Philips MedicalSystems Nederland B. V. publication entitled “FM-2 Antepartum PortableFetal Monitor.” Each of these apparatus is bulky and as a result may berelatively uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time,particularly if required to wear them overnight. Furthermore, althoughthe apparatus may be portable, they are cumbersome, and may interferewith daily activities and sleep.

The use of commercial strain gauges to measure deformations or the bodywas found unworkable in that the attachment of such strain gauges to thebody interfered with the movements of the part of the skin to which thegauges were attached rendering their use questionable.

There is a need to replace these massive and cumbersome belts and vestapparatus that encircle the body or cover large portions of the torso,and avoid short-term and long-term patient discomfort that may accompanytheir use. The apparatus should preferably be attached and worn withminimal discomfort, allowing the patient a significant amount of freedomof movement without impacting the tests underway. The apparatus shouldalso preferably have a high degree of sensitivity to allow the equipmentto detect small changes, particularly when testing infants, and becapable of continued operation as the patient changes positions.

It would be advantageous if the connection of the sensing apparatus tothe body could be made similar to a “Band-aid” tape type arrangement sothat the attachment can be simplified and made by technicians, and thatthe associated monitoring equipment can be easily set up and maintainedin operation.

Further it would be advantageous if the sensor could be subject tominiaturization so that appropriate electronics and transmissioncircuitry could be designed attached to the body for radio, infrared,etc, transmission of data to remote locations. It would also beadvantageous for portability purposes if such sensors and circuitrycould be powered by small wrist-watch type batteries and still performfor time periods needed to complete the tests before replacement isneeded.

In addition, it would advantageous if the monitoring apparatus wasadaptable for use over a wide variety of portions of the body forobserving a wide variety of physiological problems.

SUMMARY

The sensors, system, apparatus and methods disclosed provide means formonitoring movements or deformations of objects. As used herein the termmovements means alterations of form or shape, or deformations, ordisplacements, of objects to be monitored, such as, but not limited to,contractions, expansions, shape changes, volume changes, twisting,stretching, and ripple and wave actions. The loose tolerance betweenmoving sensor parts enables the sensor to be used in monitoringmovements of delicate items. The sensor is particularly adaptable tominiaturization, wherein the mass of the sensor, the loose tolerancebetween moving sensor parts, and the flexible electrical connectionsthereto, enables the sensor to be used in monitoring deformations,contraction and expansion, or other shape changes of flexible membranessuch as experienced when monitoring skin, with insignificantinterference with the movements. The movements may be elastic such asthe contraction and expansion of skin, or plastic movements whereinresidues of the changes remain.

The sensor includes a coil having an input winding and an output windingconcentrically wound about a common location, and an armature or corethat extends with approximately equal positioning within both windingsand moves within the coil to vary the sensor inductive reactance asexhibited by the output winding.

The value of the resistive, capacitive and inductive components can beselected so that the arrangement can operate as a critically damped,under damped, or over damped LRC circuit for providing definitive pointsfor the measurement of changes in inductive reactance. The choice of L,R. and C determine the number of zero crossing points (polarity changes)and the magnitude of the negative portion of the signal

The sensor is essentially Q insensitive in its design, enabling thesensor to be manufactured in a variety of sizes to fit variousmonitoring needs, and is particularly adapted to miniaturization in thatthe use of smaller wire and its inherent higher intrinsic resistancedoes not impact the sensor performance.

The sensor, because of its miniaturization feature, can be included, inaccordance to another embodiment of the invention, as part of a“Band-aid” type of tape package that encapsulates the sensor and allowsits application and attachment to the skin in the form of a bandage.

The sensor is adapted to be coupled to a monitoring circuit that isresponsive to the changes in the inductive reactance of the sensor toprovide outputs that are indicative of the movements.

A further feature of the monitoring circuit includes a control circuitto preset the monitoring circuit system parameters to adapt theoperating range of the system to the scope of the displacement of thesensor.

The monitoring system is also adapted to provide two outputs, one ofwhich is an absolute indication of the sensor positioning and the otherprovides a relative and more sensitive indication.

The monitoring circuit has the capability of providing high sensitivityoperation by the use of amplification. In the event the monitoringcircuit is driven into nonlinear operation by the scope of sensormovements, a control circuit adapts the system parameters of themonitoring circuit to accommodate to the scope of sensor movements.

Electrical pulses are applied to the sensor and decaying electricalresponses are monitored that are a function of changes in inductivereactance of the sensor. The sensor provides, in response to an inputpulse, an output signal that has a zero voltage cross point, or polaritychange. The monitoring circuit uses the zero cross over point as areference for initiating measurements of sensor displacements. Thecontrol circuit sets the monitoring circuit's initial operatingparameters adjacent to the cross over reference and thereafter modifiesits operation to follow subsequent cross over changes.

A magnitude based monitoring circuit selects a time slot between pulsesto analyze the magnitude of the sensor responses to provide an outputindicative of the relative movement of the items monitored. The controlcircuit controls the timing between the pulses and the time slot toadapt the system to handle the scope of responses from the sensor. Thegain of the monitoring circuit can also be modified by the controlcircuit so as to adapt the system to the scope of sensor movements.

A further feature comprises a timer circuit that is initiated after thepulse is applied to the sensor and stopped when a selected magnitude ofthe sensor response is reached, wherein the count provides indicationsof the deformations being monitored. A control system can be added toadapt the system operating parameters to accommodate the scope of sensorresponses.

A still further feature of the monitoring system comprises a combinationof the time or count based system and the magnitude based system toprovide two separate indications of deformations. A control system canbe added to adapt the operating parameters of one, or both, the timebased system and the magnitude based systems to accommodate the scope ofsensor responses.

The combination of the sensor and the monitoring system provides a meansby which data measurements of indications of movements can be achievedin very short periods of time allowing the system to be placed in a lowpower (sleep) mode of operation between data sets. This is particularlyuseful in battery powered portable apparatus wherein the sleep mode willsignificantly extend the operating life of the battery.

The sensing system is particularly adaptable for use in the measurementof deformation of skin such as contraction and expansion as a means formeasuring local body volume changes, large volume changes, ripple orwave change action and shape changes when analyzing various internalbody physiological properties, such as sleep apnea, baby crib death,pregnancy labor cramps, bladder incontinence, erectile dysfunction,muscle tension and contractions and limb movements. The sensor is alsoadapted to be attached to the body in arrays for providingmultiple-directional analysis.

The sensor is adapted to be connected in various arrangements whereinthe outputs can be arranged to monitor movements relative to a zeroreference point and provide directions of movements relative to thereference point, or provide very accurate indications of movements, ortemperature insensitive indications of movements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates the sensor system of the invention connected formonitoring skin deformations at various parts of the human body.

FIG. 2 illustrates the system of FIG. 1 modified for providing awireless monitoring system.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a sensor of theinvention.

FIG. 4A shows the sensor of FIG. 3 in assembled form.

FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view of a portion of the sensor of FIG. 4Aillustrating the two winding of the coil one on top the other, and theloose mechanical coupling between the coil and the core.

FIG. 4C is a cross sectional view of a portion of the sensor of FIG. 4Aillustrating the two windings of the coil wound simultaneously, and theloose mechanical coupling between the coil and the core.

FIG. 5 shows a miniaturized version of the sensor of FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a miniaturized version of the sensorincluding two cores and a single coil.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sensor included in a tape typebandage attachment for positioning the sensor on body skin.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the bandage type sensor attachment of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view of bottom layer of the bandage type tape sensorattachment of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the bandage type sensor attachment ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic drawing of the sensor of FIGS. 3 and4 and a circuit for applying pulses to the sensor.

FIG. 12 illustrates voltage versus time curves across the input andoutput of the sensor schematic of FIG. 11 in response to the applicationof a pulse.

FIG. 13 illustrates voltage versus time curves of input and outputresponses of the sensor of FIG. 11 to the pulses with two differentdisplacements of the sensor.

FIG. 14 illustrates voltage versus time curves of the output of thesensor of FIG. 11 to pulses for three different displacements of thesensor.

FIG. 15 is a basic block diagram of the sensor monitoring system of theinvention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the system of FIG. 15 modified forwireless operation,

FIG. 17 is an expanded block diagram of the system of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a more detailed block diagram of the system of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 includes curves illustrating input and output responses of thesensor to trigger pulses with different sensor displacements.

FIG. 20 illustrates the low gain output and the high gain output of themonitoring system of the invention with different sensor displacements.

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram for the operation of the bock diagram of FIG.18 including an arrangement for controlling system timing parametersaccording to the invention.

FIG. 22 includes an illustration of the saturation and zero crossover orpolarity change operation of the high gain amplifier.

FIG. 23 includes an illustration of the output of the high gainamplifier showing a system selected range of operation.

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram of the operation of the system including anarrangement for controlling the system timing and gain parametersaccording to the invention.

FIG. 25 illustrates an embodiment of the invention for monitoring withthe use with multiple sensors.

FIGS. 26A-26D include software flow diagrams for use in the system ofthe invention including a power savings feature.

FIG. 27 is a plot of the output of the system of the invention whenmeasuring breathing.

FIG. 28 illustrates the output of the monitoring system of the inventionwith step type changes in sensor displacement including the operation ofthe control system for changing the timing parameters of the system.

FIG. 29 includes another embodiment of the system of the inventionincluding a time-based concept.

FIG. 30 includes another embodiment of the system of the inventionincluding the time-based concept for the gross output and the voltagebased concept for the high sensitivity output.

FIG. 31 includes a schematic diagram of a sensor circuit of theinvention including a single excitation winding and two pick upwindings.

FIG. 32 includes waveforms for illustrating the operation of the sensorcircuit of FIG. 31

FIG. 33 is a block diagram of a monitoring system for use with thesensor circuit of FIG. 31.

FIG. 34 includes a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a sensorcircuit of the invention including two excitation windings and two pickup windings.

FIG. 35 includes waveforms for illustrating the operation of the sensorcircuit of FIG. 33.

FIG. 36 is a block diagram of a monitoring system for use with thesensor circuit of FIG. 34.

FIG. 37 includes a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a sensorcircuit of the invention including two excitation windings and two pickup windings.

FIG. 38 includes waveforms for illustrating the operation of the sensorcircuit of FIG. 37.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the sensor, system, apparatus, and methods of the inventionshall be primarily described herein for use in monitoring movements aflexible membrane, such as for medical applications in monitoring smallmotions and deformations in skin, it should be understood that the useof the invention is equally applicable to monitor movements anddeformations for a wide variety of objects involved in industrial andcommercial applications.

There is continual medical research underway for ways to measure bodyinternal pressures by external, non-intrusive means. The skin surfacetension serves as a buffer between the internal and external bodysystems. External skin deformation provides indications of many bodyinternal physiological properties. The external surface of the skinflexes in the form of deformations due to body volume changes, localvolume changes, ripple or wave action, shape changes, and limbmovements. For example, the volume of air in the lungs when breathing inand out is reflected in chest skin deformations in the form ofcontractions and expansions on the both back and front sides of thechest. Bodily functions that create changes in the body volume or shapecan be monitored through such skin deformations. Such data canpotentially be used to detect, diagnose, and provide bio-feedback forconditions such as incontinence, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, andpregnancy labor contractions. Further, muscle changes due to cramps, orrelaxation such in the case of anesthesia, can also be monitored bymeasuring skin deformations. As another example, the rate and directionof local swelling could easily be monitored.

In FIG. 1 sensors 10-24 of the invention are shown attached to body skinat various body locations. Sensors 10 and 12 are attached to the chestto monitor skin deformations due to respiration to detect sleep apnea orto avoid baby crib death. Sensors 14 and 16 are attached to the abdomento monitor skin deformations such as experienced with labor duringpregnancy. Sensor 18 is attached to the skin adjacent the bladder tomonitor urination needs. Sensor 20 is attached to the penis area tomonitor erectile dysfunction. Sensors 22 and 24 are attached to monitorleg muscle tension. Although the sensors 10-24 have been illustrated asattached to the front of the body, they could also be attached to thebody back and other locations where it is desirable to monitor skindeformations. A single sensor can be used at each location. Alternatelya multiple of sensors can be used at each location if skin deformationsare desired to be measured along plural directions.

A control system 25 is connected by wires to the sensors. The sensorsoutput signals to a computer or microcontroller 26, which in turnmodifies the signals for a display unit 30 for visual and/or audibleinformation, or for control purposes. The output of the microcontroller26 is also applied to a network interface 31 through a data port 28 fortransmission to, and reception from, distant stations. Alternately thedata can be transmitted directly to a computer or personal digitalassistant (PDA) 32 or relayed and received wirelessly through a radiotransceiver 34. Data can also be gathered in a non-clinical environmentwith a small data gathering system while the patient is mobile in anambulatory mode. The ambulatory system for gathering data is denoted inthe dashed box 29, although it may be useful in some instances to addcomponents that are not inside the dashed box, such as a wirelessconnection. The data gathered can be processed through, and received by,the microcontroller 26 via the two-way communication to the network 31,or computer or PDA 32, or through the radio transceiver 34, or caninclude an infrared data link, an optical interface, or a microwavelink, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 except that the sensors 10-24 are connectedto monitor-radio transceiver circuits 10A-24A for sending signals to,and receiving signals from, a remote transceiver 36 via an antenna 38eliminating the wire connections of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a sensor 40 ofthe invention, while FIG. 4A shows the sensor assembled. The sensor 40includes an inner elongated rigid thin tube or bobbin 42 of anon-magnetic material such as brass, stainless steel, or an insulatorsuch as plastic. A coil 44 includes two separate windings (excitationwinding 44A and pick up winding 44B of FIG. 10) of a copper wireconcentrically wound about the tube 42 having two sets of leads 46 and48, two for each winding, extending out of an outer tube or shield 43made of material similar to tube 42. Winding 44A, for the purpose ofdescribing the invention, is designated the input or excitation windingand is adapted to receive electrical signals, while winding 44B isdesignated as the output or pick up winding that is adapted to outputthe response of the sensor to the electrical signals, however eitherwinding can function as the excitation winding of pick up windingdepending on the sensor design. A mount 50 is attached to one end of thecoil 44. Alternately the mount 50 could be attached to the tube 43.

A metallic core or armature 52, preferably a soft (non-permanent)magnetic material is preferable for such as of ferromagnetic orparamagnetic material with low magnetic hysteresis and low eddy currentsis adapted to extend within the coil 44 and move along the longitudinalaxis 53 of the sensor with approximately equal positioning ordisplacement within both windings. Although the core 52 is shown as acontinuous metallic unit, depending upon the design of the sensor, themetallic core could be attached to an insulating extension rod. Aconductor could also serve has the core 52 although increased signalamplification could be required. As illustrated in FIGS. 4B and 4C (notin scale) the core 52 fits loosely within the tube 42 for unhamperedfree movement in rotation and longitudinally along the axis 53, and toallow for some off-axis parallel and transverse movement of the core(wobble) reducing the need for high tolerance fits between the core 52and the coil 44 since any movement of the core transverse to, androtationally about, the axis 53 due to the loose fit does not materiallyimpact the linearity or sensitivity. This freedom of movement allows forease of assembly and attachment and aids in the unhampered detection byinsignificant interference with the deformations of the membrane beingmeasured. The external end of the core 52 includes a mount 54. Althoughthe tubes 42 and 43, coil 44, and core 52 are illustrated having roundcylindrical shapes, the various items of the sensor 40 could be formedin different shapes for example, rectangular, and triangular, butmatching so as not to disrupt the free longitudinal movement of the core52. Although the mounts 50 and 54 are illustrated having a square shape,the mounts can be formed of different shapes such as rectangular,triangular or circular and in the case of the core, part of the core canitself be bent to provide a mounting arrangement.

The core 52 becomes the preferred path for magnetic field lines in thatpart of the coil 44 that the core occupies. FIGS. 4B and 4C illustratethe coil 44 wound about the tube 42 so that windings 44A and 44B arewound about the same tube location so as to achieve approximately thesame winding geometry and location. In both FIGS. 4B and 4C the windingsare concentrically wound about the tube 42. In FIG. 4B the winding 44Bis wound over the winding 44A (although the locations of the windingscould be reversed). In FIG. 4C both winding 44A and 44B are intertwinedby simultaneously winding the wires about the tube 42.

The mounts 50 and 54 are adapted to be attached to separate movableparts or portions 56 and 58 of an object, as illustrated in FIG. 4,wherein the movements between the portions 56 and 58 are to bemonitored. In the case of monitoring skin deformations, the attachmentmay be made by a medical adhesive 60. The relative displacement betweenthe core 52 and the coil 44 and the changes in inductive reactanceexhibited by the sensor 40 changes as the skin deforms. For example, thesensor inductive reactance increases as the core 52 moves deeper withinthe coil 44. The sensor inductive reactance decreases as the core movesoutward. Hence, the inductive reactance of the sensor 40 varies as afunction of the relative displacements between core 52 and the coil 44and therefore as a function of the deformations of the portion of theflexible membrane between mount attachments.

The sensor 40, with its mounts 50 and 54, forms a “bar bell” typeconfiguration that contacts the membrane under test only at the twoseparated points or portions 56 and 58. Both parts of the sensor 40, thecoil 44 and the core 52, are free to move relative to each other. Withthe sensor 40 attached to the flexible membrane, such as skin, the loosemechanical coupling or fitting of the core 52 within the coil 44 allowsthe core to freely rotate, and to move within a limited degree paralleland transverse to the axis 53, as the core moves longitudinally alongthe axis to follow the deformations of the membrane. It has been foundwith the sensor 40 of the invention that these rotational, parallel, andtransverse movements of the core 52 cause insignificant changes in thesensor inductive reactance. This allows the tests to be made along thedirection of the longitudinal axis 53 despite that the measuredsubstrate may exhibiting some twisting or movement of a patient undertest.

In FIG. 5 an embodiment of a miniaturized version of the sensor 40 iscompared to a United States dime 62. The sensor windings 44A and 44B areconstructed of approximately 100 turns each of a very fine wire such as#40 copper insulated magnetic wire (outside diameter of 0.0035 inches ofwhich 0.0005 inches is insulation), both wound concentrically about theaxis 53 of the tube 42 in the same direction (or in opposite directions)with one winding on top the other fitting within the grooves of theother winding as in FIG. 4B, or simultaneously intertwined over a commonpart of the tube 42. Either winding can serve as the input. Thearrangement is such that both windings occupy essentially the same spaceand geometry toward achieving a unity voltage ratio. The use of the thinwire results in increased parasitic resistance that lowers the sensor Qfactor, needed to reduce sensor size and to provide mechanical isolationor decoupling between the measurement electronics and the sensor, butpresents insignificant problems. The air core inductance of the sensoris about 2 μHenrys. The tube 42 is of stainless steel 42 mils insidediameter and 50 mils outside diameter. The outer tube 43 is of stainlesssteel 72 mils inside diameter and 83 mils outside diameter. The spacebetween the coil and the inside of the outer tube 43 is filled withepoxy for mechanical stability. The core 52 is of steel wire on theorder of 25 mils in outside diameter (about that of a sewing pin) andwhich such diameter is approximately 60% of the inside diameter ofbobbin 42 thereby providing a very loose fit or mechanical couplingthere between. With the loose mechanical coupling as shown in FIGS. 4Band 4C (not in scale), the coil 44 and core 52 are to move freelyrelative to each other longitudinally and rotationally along the axis53, and to wobble about the axis with minimal frictional resistance.Depending upon the attachment of the sensor and the object beingmonitored, the core 52 as it moves within the coil 44 can engage oneside to the tube 42 and slide along the tube, or tilt to contact thetube at two positions, or not contact the tube. The core has a relativepermeability of about 80 and takes up about 25% of the cross sectionalarea of the coil 44.

The length of the coil 44 is about 9 mm. In scaling down the size of aninductive sensor, thinner wire and less cross sectional area is employedfor the coils, raising their resistances, decreasing their inductances,and significantly decreasing the sensor Q value. However, with theanalysis techniques employed by the apparatus of the invention asdescribed below, sensitivity is maintained even for sensors with lowinductance and high resistance (and the resulting low Q) such as theexemplary sensor of FIG. 5.

The coil 44 wires extend through spaces in the square opening in themount 50 and thereafter curl or form bends and preferably extendtransverse to the longitudinal movement of the sensor (axis 53). Theflexibility of the wires 46 and 48 allows them to flex in directionsalong, and transverse to, the axis 53, and to flex to accommodate anysensor rotational movements. This arrangement provides a high degree ofmechanical isolation or decoupling between the sensor and the measuringapparatus to be connected thereto, reducing the possibility ofinterfering with the sensor movements.

The mounts 50 and 54 can be for example metal blocks 125 mils cubed.Although the mounts 50 and 54 are illustrated as rigidly secured to thecoil 44 and the core 52, if desired a flexible connection can be used tofurther reduce the likelihood of interference with the deformations ofthe skin in situations when a curved surface or irregularities are to bemonitored. The weight of the sensor so described is approximately 2.5grams. With the analysis techniques employed by the apparatus of theinvention as described below, the sweet spot or the effective scope ofsensor linear operation is greater than one half the length of the coil,over which the sensor movement exhibits nearly linear inductivereactance changes. With the sensor of the invention, both the coil andcore are free to move unrestrained to follow movements longitudinallyand in rotation about the axis 53. Reduced in size, the sensor isparticularly adaptable for monitoring skin deformations such ascontractions and expansions since the combined mass of the coils, coreand mounts, the loose coupling between the core and coil, and theflexibility of the electrical connections imposes an insignificantamount of interference with the deformations in the movement of skinthere between, or movements of other types of items being monitored. Anysignificant amount of interference could otherwise impact the accuracyof the measurements. With the use of the sensor 40 of FIG. 5, theinductance of the coil 44 was increased in the order of tenfold betweenair core inductance and full core 52 insertion and with the analysistechniques employed by the apparatus of the invention as describedbelow, sensitivity was achieved in the micron range and with relativesensitivity of 100 parts per million with linear operation over morethan one half the length of the coil 44.

It should be understood that the size and construction of the sensor 40of the invention could be tailored to suit its intended use. Forexample, number of windings of the coils 44A and 44B can be increased ordecreased, the ratio of turns between each coil can differ, the coilscan be wound in different directions, the size of the wire can changedin general or from winding to winding, and the coils can be woundsimultaneously rather than separately. Further, to obtain a furtherdegree of linearity, the windings can be made denser at the ends wherethe magnetic fields tend to diminish.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6 the miniaturized version of the sensor 40 ofthe invention, the sensor includes the coil 44 with the flexibleelectrical connections extending from the center of the coil but do notextend through the gap between the coil 44. Only the cores 42A and 42Binclude attachment mounts 50A and 50B for providing for the monitoringof two relative moving points.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrates a “Band-aid” tape type bandage assembly 63 forthe sensor 40 for easy attachment to a flexible membrane such as skin.FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the unattached bandage assembly 63including the sensor 40 positioned within the bandage. The bandageassembly 63 provides an easy means by which the sensor 40 can beattached to the skin as a unit such that monitoring of the skindeformations can be performed while the sensor is protected from outsideinterference by the bandage. The bandage assembly 63 could be totallyenclosed with a plastic or paper enclosure (not shown).

The bandage arrangement 63 is comprised of a flexible tape type toplayer including two strips 64A and 64B and a resilient thin plasticnodule type projection 66 connection to the two strips and extendingaway there from. The nodule 66 partially encases the sensor 40. Thenodule 66 is preferably of a clear material for viewing the attachmentof the sensor to the skin surface and its operation, but it may beopaque. Two caps or projections 68A and 68B are formed in the nodule 66and extend outwardly there from. The sensor mounts 50 and 54 are looselycaptured by resilient forces of the caps 68A and 68B or by a weakadhesive 73 (FIG. 10). The caps of the bandage arrangement keep thesensor core 52 and the coil 44 in preferred registration (approximatemidway insertion). The bottom layer comprised of two strips 67A and 67Bare attached to the top strips 64A and 64B by glue points 69A and 69B(FIG. 9). The bottom strips 67A and 67B make a weak attachment with theglue points 69A and 69B so that the bottom strips can be readily removedwhile the glue points remain attached to the top strips 64A and 64B.Although the bottom layer is illustrated as comprised of two strips 67Aand 67B, the bottom layer could be a single contiguous layer (asillustrated by the dashed lines 71 in FIG. 10) that is attached to boththe top strips 64A and 64B. Further, although the top layer isillustrated as two strips 64A and 64B, the top layer could be a singlecontiguous layer with an opening therein of a size through which thesensor could extend. The two top strip arrangement with the spacing inbetween however has a lower likelihood of causing any interference withthe deformations of the skin since the top strips 64A and 64B extendalong the bandage on opposite sides of the sensor 40 and parallel to thedirection of movement of the sensor. The exterior sides of the topstrips 64A and 64B also include the touch points 70A and 70Brespectively for finger pressure during bandage attachment.

The bandage type sensor arrangement is applied to skin by first removingthe bottom strips 67A and 67B, and then set in place by pressing on thetouch points 70A and 70B to become attached to the skin by the gluepoints 69A and 69B. The caps 68A and 68B are pushed down causing thenodule 66 to flex so that the bottom of the mounts 50 and 54 engage theskin and adhere thereto by the adhesive 60 (FIG. 10), which can beincluded as part of the bandage arrangement or applied to the mountsjust before attachment to the skin. When pressure is removed, the caps68A and 68B spring back and release the mounts 50 and 54 while thesensor remains secured to the skin.

The curled sensor wires 46 and 48 extend through an opening 71 in thenodule 66 in a direction transverse to the sensor longitudinal axis,curl or wind through a loose clamp 74B to form a loop 75, and are heldin place by a tight clamp 74A from which they extend from the bandagemounting. Such arrangement provides for an effective mechanicalisolation or decoupling of the sensor from the system control circuit 25(FIG. 1) so as to avoid mechanical forces from being exerted on thesensor that might interfere with the skin under test.

Hence as can be seen, the bandage type sensor mounting arrangement ofthe invention can be easily placed on the skin and the sensor attachedto the skin with the sensor in its preferred registration (approximatelymidway rod insertion). A nurse or technician can simply remove thebottom strips 67A and 67B, place the bandage arrangement over theportion of the skin in the direction to be monitored, push on the touchpoints 70A and 70B to secure the bandage arrangement to the skin by theadhesive layers 69A and 69B, and push down on the caps 68A and 68B andrelease them as the sensor mounts 50 and 54 adhere to the skin.Connections can be made to the control system 25 via the flexible wires46 and 48 without disrupting the sensor attachment or without creatingany mechanical interference that might otherwise impact the operation ofthe sensor. With the glue points 69A and 69B located opposite only onemount 54, the glue points, as they hold the bandage arrangement inplace, will not interfere with the contraction and expansion of the skinbeing monitored.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the sensor circuit of FIGS. 3 and 4 inaccordance with one embodiment of invention in which the sensor isdriven by a pulse type generator 92. Circuit 92 is illustrated as anelectrical equivalent circuit, including a power source illustrated as abattery 94, a capacitor 96, and a switching semiconductor 98 such as apower CMOS inverter (although other semiconductor circuit designs couldbe used). Capacitor 96, designated C1, has a value in the order of 4.7microfarads. The windings 44A and 44B have been designated L1 and L2 formathematical analysis purposes. The intrinsic resistances of thewindings 44A and 44B are designated R1 and R2 for mathematical purposes.The windings 44A and 44B have a parasitic capacitance C2 and parasiticinductances LP1 and LP2.

When semiconductor 98 is switched into its charging condition, thecapacitor 96 is charged to the voltage value of the battery 94 (3.3volts) through the winding 44A and the resistor 95 having a value of 1Kohm so that the capacitor's charge time constant is about 4.7milliseconds. When the semiconductor 98 is switched to the dischargecondition, the charge across the capacitor 96 is discharged via thesensor leads 46 through the input winding 44A and the sensor outputs adecaying type of response from the pick up winding 44B across leads 48as illustrated in FIGS. 12-14. The discharge time through the sensor 40of the miniaturized type described with regard to FIG. 5 is in the orderof 10 microseconds, depending upon the various reactive impedances andresistances exhibited by the sensor. When the capacitor 96 issubsequently recharged, the current through the winding 44A is reversedadvantageously through resistor 95 eliminating some magnetic hysteresiscreated in the core 42, through slow charging of the capacitor 96. Itshould be understood that other switching arrangements can be used inwhich the capacitor 96 is not recharged through the winding 44A. Thepower consumption of the sensor per capacitor 96 charge and discharge isvery low, estimated to be in the order of 5×10⁻⁵ Joules, greatlyreducing the power supply demands for portability. The series resistanceof the capacitor 96 is on the order of 0.003 ohms, which is designed tonot materially impact the discharge of the circuit.

The voltage at the output leads or nodes 48 is the voltage essentiallyacross the inductor L2 due to the induced voltage across L1. When thepick up winding 44B is connected to a high impedance circuit, C2 and R2have negligible effect on the circuit. In the extreme of (R1 C1) smallcompared with (L1 C1)^(−1/2) the current is sinusoidal and the voltageobserved on output leads or nodes 48 is sinusoidal with a frequencyproportional to (L1 C1)^(−1/2). In other regions of operation, thebehavior is more complex, but in all cases the resultant output voltageat output leads or nodes 48 has at least one zero-crossing point, orpolarity change, which is advantageously used in the design of thecontrol circuit 25. For example, the voltage can be sampled just priorto the zero crossing point in order to get a sensitive measure of anychanges in the inductive reactance of the coil. Further, the zerocrossing point is independent of the magnitude of the excitation pulsevoltage applied to winding 44A and the time for zero crossing is adeterministic function of R, L, and C.

For a sufficiently small value of LP1, the active sensor circuit of FIG.11 for mathematical analysis can be simplified as a series RLC circuitconsisting of R1, L1 and C1 since the passive coupling to the outputwinding 44A is negated by the use of a high impedance across leads 48.With equal turns in windings 44A and 44B, when the capacitor 96 isdischarged, the induced voltage across inductor L2 is generally equal tothe voltage across L1, and by the use of a high impedance across leads48 the voltage across leads 48 is close to the voltage across inductorL1 (unity induced voltage ratio), since the voltage drop across R2, C2and LP2 are negligible.

The treatment of series RLC circuits is well known in the literature,and consists of three regions depending on the ratio of (RC)² to 4LC.There are three regions including over-damped, critically damped, andunder-damped. The over-damped and under-damped regions are separated bya critically damped point where (RC)² is equal to 4LC. An increase inthe inductance from the critically damped point causes the circuit tobecome under-damped, and a decrease in the inductance from thecritically damped point causes the circuit to become over-damped.Ideally in all cases the voltage across the inductor L1 initially is atthe power source voltage, and since the initial current is zero thevoltage drop across the resistor R1 is therefore zero.

If the circuit consisting of R1, L1, and C1 is very under-damped, thenthe voltage differential at nodes 46 substantially equals the voltagedifferential at nodes 48, and the time at which both voltages cross zeroafter the discharge of capacitor C1 is:

$t_{V_{L} = 0} = {\frac{2{LC}}{\sqrt{{4{LC}} - {R^{2}C^{2}}}}\begin{bmatrix}{{a\;{\tan\left( \frac{\frac{2L}{R} - {RC}}{\sqrt{{4{LC}} - {R^{2}C^{2}}}} \right)}} +} \\{a\;{\tan\left( \frac{RC}{\sqrt{{4{LC}} - {R^{2}C^{2}}}} \right)}}\end{bmatrix}}$ $t_{0U} \cong {{\pi/2}*\sqrt{LC}}$

In the case that the circuit consisting of R1, L1, and C1 is criticallydamped, the voltage across nodes 46 decays to zero but does not changessign, while the voltage across inductor L1 (and that essentially acrossnodes 48) is:

$V_{L} = {{V_{0}\left( {1 - \frac{t}{\sqrt{LC}}} \right)}{\exp\left( {- \frac{2t}{RC}} \right)}}$

and crosses zero at a time:t _(0C) =√{square root over (LC)}

In the heavily over-damped case there is relatively little responseacross nodes 46 to inductive changes, as the circuit is dominated by anRC decay. However, the voltage across nodes 48 is very dependent on theinductance. Again the voltage differential at nodes 46 does not changesign while the voltage at nodes 48 crosses zero at a time:

$t_{V_{L} = 0} = {\frac{LC}{\sqrt{{R^{2}C^{2}} - {4{LC}}}}{\ln\left\lbrack \frac{{RC} + \sqrt{{R^{2}C^{2}} - {4{LC}}}}{{RC} - \sqrt{{R^{2}C^{2}} - {4{LC}}}} \right\rbrack}}$t_(0O) ≅ L/R * ln (R²C/L)

The inductive sensor of the invention is not transformer sensitive inthat the ratio of the voltages between the input excitation winding 44Aand the output pick up winding 44B is based on the ratio of the numberof turns in the windings and does not materially change with changes inthe relative dispositions of the coil 44 and the core 42.

The relative sensitivity of the sensor can be examined bydifferentiating the equations for the time dependence of the voltagewith respect to the inductance. While a general solution is tedious, theover damped, critically damped, and under damped regions will bediscussed. The fractional change in detected voltage for an inductancechange relative to the current inductance value is the sensitivity. Forthe extremely over damped region, the maximum sensitivity is:

$\frac{dV}{V_{0}} = {{\frac{dL}{L}{\mathbb{e}}^{- 1}} = {0.37\frac{dL}{L}}}$and occurs at a time after the discharge of the capacitor:

$t = \frac{L}{R}$

When the system is critically damped the maximum sensitivity is,

$\frac{dV}{V_{0}} = {0.39\frac{dL}{L}}$and occurs at a time after the discharge of the capacitor

$t = {\frac{L}{R} = \frac{\sqrt{LC}}{2}}$

When the system is extremely under damped, the sensitivity at the firstmaximum in sensitivity is:

$\frac{dV}{V_{0}} = {0.91\frac{dL}{L}}$and occurs at a time after the discharge of the capacitor:t≅2√{square root over (LC)}

It should be noted that these are the sensitivities withoutamplification and with a unity voltage coupling ratio on the coils. Thissensitivity of the sensor is quite high and essentially independent ofresistance (or Q). Hence, with the Q insensitive sensor as describedherein, the size of the sensor can be designed to fit a wide variety ofmonitoring purposes without facing Q restrictions. This is particularlyimportant when the sensor is scaled in size for miniaturization with theuse of smaller sized wires without significant limitations caused by theintrinsic resistance of the wire that would otherwise impact theefficiency of the sensor.

The FIGS. 12-14 are general representations of the decaying sensorresponses for typical traces resulting from the application of an inputpulse from the capacitor 96 to the sensor 40. For simplifying thedescription of the sensor, the following explanations will be directedto critically damped or over damped sensors, however it should beunderstood that will also apply to under damped sensors except that insuch case both windings 44A and 44B will exhibit zero crossing points.As seen, with a unity sensor voltage ratio (due to equal turns in thewindings 44A and 44B), the magnitudes of the initial voltages at theinput leads 46 and output leads 48 are about the same. In FIG. 12 thecurve 100 is the voltage across the input leads 46, and the curve 102 isthe resulting voltage across the output leads 48. With acritically-damped or over-damped arrangement of the resistance,capacitance and inductance of the sensor circuit the curve 100 does nothave a zero crossing (polarity change). The voltage across the outputleads 48 (curve 102) decays at a greater rate as compared to the voltageacross the leads 46 (curve 100) and the curve 102 has a zero crossingpoint that is used to provide a well defined function of sensorinductance over the entire range of inductance L. A method can be usedto ascertain the approximate zero crossing time by taking one or moremeasurements with fixed coil impedance. For subsequent measurementpulses, the voltage can be measured at set time near the previouslyascertained zero crossing point. With this method, a voltage can bemeasured that is sensitive to subsequent small changes in inductance,particularly with the use of signal amplification. Further it isasserted that the choice of a time slightly prior to the zero crossingpoint, such that the initial monitored voltage is 10 to 20% of thesupply voltage, will give a nearly linear voltage response to smallinductance changes.

Therefore the measurement based on the pickup winding 44B can be usedacross a wide range of inductance of the sensor. Even when the circuitis over-damped (low Q) and there is limited response across nodes 46,while the voltage and zero crossover timing across nodes 48 provide astrong indication of the inductance. Further, it is practical to developa time based measurement algorithm, or a voltage based measurementalgorithm, of an algorithm that is a combination of both, as for examplefinding a zero crossing time as a gross indication of the inductance,and measuring subsequent changes in voltage at or near that time for asensitive indication of inductance changes.

FIG. 13 shows various sensor responses exhibited by the sensor 40 ofFIG. 5 at the input and output leads 46 and 48 over an order ofmagnitude of sensor impedance change due to displacements of the core 52relative to the coil 44. The curves 108 and 110 represent sensor inputvoltages across leads 46 and the curves 104 and 106 represent voltagesacross the output leads 48. The curves 104 and 110 are characteristic oflower sensor inductance, and curves 106 and 109 are characteristic of anorder of magnitude increase in sensor inductance. The curves 104 and 110correspond to the air core inductance of the sensor, and the curves 106and 108 correspond to the core 52 fully inserted into the coil 44. Bothcurves 104 and 106 have zero crossings while curves 108 and 110 do not.

The FIG. 14 shows the voltage across the output leads 48 for threedifferent values of inductance of the sensor 40. The curve 112corresponds to the core 52 approximately 20% inserted into the coil 44,the curve 114 corresponds to the core approximately 50% inserted intothe coil, and the curve 118 corresponds to the approximately core 80%inserted into the coil. All three curves exhibit zero crossings. Bysampling the voltage at an appropriate time near the zero crossing, suchas at time TA after the application of the pulse to the sensor, a fairlymonotonically varying output signal can be obtained proportional torelative dispositions between the core 52 and the coil 44 as the outputof the sensor varies between curves 112 and 118.

FIG. 15 discloses a basic block diagram of an apparatus of the inventionfor monitoring the inductive reactance changes of the sensor 160 inresponse to the deformations of items being monitored. Further, for easeof explanation, similar items in the following Figures, where practical,will have the same reference numbers. A pulse generator 159 applieselectrical signals to the sensor 160. A monitor circuit 162 identifiesthe changes in the inductance of the sensor 160 and provides digitalsignals to a microcontroller 164, which in turn analyzes the digitalsignals and provides an output indicative of the movements monitored toa computer 174, such as a lap top computer, through an interface 165which translates signal and/or timing between that required by thecomputer and that used by the microcontroller. The computer 174 providesthe human interface as a control means for the operation and read out ofthe monitoring system, stores data in long term memory, and translatesthe data for control, visual and/or audible indications from the display166 and provides programming of the microcontroller 164.

For portable or ambulatory use, the monitoring circuit 162 and themicrocontroller 164 are powered by a power source using two 3.3 voltswatch type batteries connected in series. The resulting 6.6 volt node isconnected through a standard DC regulator circuit to maintain a constant3.3V output. Two large capacitors (100 μF) are included in the powercircuit, one between the 6.6 volt node and ground and the other betweenthe 3.3V regulator output and ground for supplying high currents forshort periods of time, such as could be needed, for example, to writedata to the FLASH data storage. The regulator is gated so it does notsupply power when hooked up to an exterior 3.3 volt source, such assupplied by the computer 174. To reduce the drain on the batteries, aseparate timing arrangement is used to allow the monitoring circuit 162and the microcontroller 164 to switch to a “sleep” mode of operationbetween data acquisition sets as described below. On the other hand ifportability is not important, then a fast transient response powersupply having a capacitive output could be used. Further, it ispreferred if the output impedance of the power supply is lower than theimpedance of the sensor, otherwise the impedance of the power supplywould add to the sensor impedance resulting in a lower delay time. It isalso preferred if the inductance of the power supply be negligible withrespect to the inductance of the sensor so that the power supply doesnot exhibit a voltage drop when applying a pulse to the sensor.

With a miniaturized embodiment of the sensor of FIG. 5 and with abounded scope of displacements due to skin deformations, the monitorcircuit 162 includes signal amplification (such as 5-100×) to achievethe degree of sensitivity desired. As a result the amplificationcircuits may at times be driven into saturation or below zero volts(high or low saturation) limiting the range of the system operation. Thesystem of FIG. 15, as described above, depending on system sensitivity,will still at times require a fairly accurate manual pre-setting of thesensor near its midpoint and/or the manual adjustment of the systemparameters.

A further feature of the invention includes the use of a control circuit168 (illustrated as connected by a dashed lines in FIG. 15) forautomatically adjusting the monitor circuit 162 timing and sensitivityparameters to fit within the scope of sensor impedance changes. Althoughthe control circuit 168, the microcontroller 164, interface 165,computer 174 and the display unit 166 are illustrated as separate blocksfor purposes of ease of explanation, portions of these blocks canfunctionally be included in the microcontroller 164 or the computer 174and operate by use of software programs.

FIG. 16 is a modification of the block diagram of FIG. 15 for use withthe remote monitoring arrangements of FIG. 2. The monitor circuit 162,the microcontroller 164, and the control circuit 168 are packaged with atransceiver 170 so as to be adapted to be attached to the body near thesensor 160. The transceiver circuit 172 converts the received output ofthe transceiver 170 into digital form for use by the computer 174 foroutputting the monitored results to the display unit 166. Thetransceiver 172 also transmits data to the transceiver 170.

In the expanded block diagram of FIG. 17 the pulse generator 159periodically applies pulses to the sensor 160 at a rate controlled by asystem timing circuit 172 that includes a low frequency timer foraccurately initiating a test for data acquisition set at a programmableperiod typically between 2 seconds and 1/32 of a second, and a highfrequency clock for use during the data acquisition functions. Adecaying type of response from the sensor 160 is detected by the monitorcircuit 162, is digitized and provides two digital data outputs to themicrocontroller 164, one in the form of a rough or gross, and the othera fine or definitive, indications of sensor displacements. Themicrocontroller in turn analyzes the data and outputs information viathe interface 165 to the computer 174 to the display unit 166. Themicrocontroller 164 includes a microprocessor with typical supportingcomponents such as communications and programming interfaces, controlregisters, data and code storage as FLASH and RAM memories, and clockand timing generation and is programmed by codes written, compiled anddownloaded from the computer 174 via a commercial ATMEL board as theinterface circuit 165, to perform the functions as described below. Thecontrol circuit includes a system parameter control circuit 180, alsosynchronized by the high frequency clock of the system timing circuit172, that is responsive to an output from the microcontroller 164 toadjust the timing between the analysis of the monitor circuit 162 andthe application of pulses to the sensor 160 for conditioning the systemtiming parameters for midrange operation. Alternately, the pulsegenerator 159 timing can be changed as illustrated by the dashed line182, or both the timing of the monitor circuit 162 and the pulsegenerator 159 can be changed. The system parameter control circuit 180can also be used to adjust the sensitivity of the system by adjustinggain. Although the system parameter control 180 is illustrated as aseparate block for explanation purposes, it should be understood thatthe system parameter control 180 functions could be included in andperformed by software in the microcontroller 164.

The monitor circuit 162 is shown within the dashed block in FIG. 18. Themonitor circuit includes a low gain amplifier 184 driving a high gainamplifier 186, the outputs of each are applied to separate analog memorycircuits such as for example sample and hold circuits 198 and 192,respectively. The high and low gain amplifiers have inputs for placingthe amplifier circuits in a standby low power mode of operation when thesystem is put in a power savings sleep mode of operation as describedbelow. The low gain amplifier 184, or the high gain amplifier 186, orboth amplifiers, can have a variable gain feedback loop, manually orelectronically operable, for adjusting the system sensitivityparameters. The outputs of the sample and hold circuits 192 and 198 areapplied to separate A/D converter circuits 194 and 196 respectively,each of which outputs digital signals to the microcontroller 164 via thelow gain data line 191 and via the high gain data line 193. The circuitsare preferably CMOS with inputs set high or low during periods ofinactivity so as not to draw a significant amount of current. Themicrocontroller analyzes the digital signals and sends an outputindicative of sensor displacement to the computer 174 for outputting tothe display unit 166, including items such as a screen 226, printer 228,alarm 230 and transceiver 232 or outputting a control signal. The timingof the data acquisition functions of the monitor circuit 162 and that ofthe microcontroller 164 are controlled by the high frequency clock.

The microcontroller 164 also performs a binary analysis of the digitalsignals to determine if the timing between the application of the pulseand the latching of the sample and hold circuits 192 and 198 fallswithin system midrange operation, and if needed, changes the timing ofthe sample and hold timing circuit 234 via the system parameter controlcircuit 180 until an approximate operation is reached within systemmidrange. Alternately, the system parameter control circuit 180 cancontrol the timing of the pulse generator 159 via the timing controlcircuit 210, or both the timing of the pulse generator 159 and that ofthe sample and hold circuits 192 and 198.

Either the low and high gain amplifiers 184 and 186, or both, may beadjusted to control the sensitivity of the system by the systemparameter control circuit 180 via the dashed connection 235.

The low gain output 191 is used to provide a gross indication of theabsolute displacement, while the high gain output 193 provides the highsensitivity output of the relative displacements, and in particularchanges in the relative displacements with time. The relativedisplacement is important to infer changes in the larger system. Forexample, if the relative displacement of the sensor indicated a changeof 1%, and the sensor attach points 56 and 58 are one inch apart, thenthis would infer a change in circumference of 0.4 inches about a bodycircumference of 40 inches, assuming uniform contraction and expansion.

The operation of the monitor circuit 162 is further explained withreference to FIGS. 19 and 20 in which the sensor 160 is criticallydamped or over damped. In FIG. 19 the curves 250C and 252C show thevoltage across terminals 46 and 48 respectively when the core 52 ispartially inserted into the coil 44, while the curves 250A and 250B and252A and 252B represent the voltage across terminals 46 and 48respectively with increasing core insertions. The curves 252A, 252B and252 have zero volt crossing points while the curves 250A, 250B and 250Cdo not. However if an under damping arrangement is used all curves willhave zero crossings.

With regard to sensor linearity and sensitivity, it is preferred thatthe monitoring circuit of the invention monitors the output of thesensor relative to time T2 adjacent to the zero cross over point withina range of sensor outputs between 10% to 30% of the scope of curves252A, 252B and 252C. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the midpoint of systemoperation is designated by level 243, while levels 241 and 240 representthe 10% and 30% points respectively. However it should be understoodthat the monitoring system can operate over a larger range of levels tocover a larger scope of sensor movements.

In FIG. 20 curves 253A and 253B represent the magnitude of the low gainamplified signals as latched at time T1 and stored as DC values 254A and254B in the sample and hold circuit 198, for a small relative change incore 52 insertion. Curves 253C and 253D represent the high gainamplified signals (in this case about 10× the low gain amplification) aslatched at time T2 and stored as DC values 256A and 256B in the sampleand hold circuit 192 for the same small change in insertion. In thisinstance the small change in insertion has generated a voltage change ofthe difference between the low gain curve 254A and 254B, while the highgain circuit has provided a much larger change in voltage, that beingthe difference between 256A and 256B. This illustrates the greatersensitivity provided by the high gain amplifier 186.

In operation, the low gain sample and hold circuit 198 is latched tostore a sample of the magnitude of the output from the low gainamplifier 184 at time T1 and stores that DC value until a subsequenttime T5 (times T1-T5 represent successive system timing periods). Thehigh gain sample and hold circuit 192 is latched to store a sample ofthe magnitude of the output from the high gain amplifier 186 at a latertime T2 and stores that DC value until time T5.

At times T3-T4 the output from the sample and hold circuit 198 isdigitized by the A/D converter 196, while during times T4-T5 the outputfrom the sample and hold circuit 192 is digitized by the A/D converter194

With the initial system timing parameters set, and in the event that thecore 52 was not positioned for system midrange operation, the output ofthe high gain amplifier 186, or both amplifiers 184 and 186 could bedriven into saturation (either high or low). Further, even if the sensorwas set for midrange operation, depending upon on the scope of movementsof the objects being monitored and the system sensitivity selected, therange of relative movements between the core 52 and the coil 44 may begreat enough so as to drive the high gain amplifier in and out ofsaturation or below zero volts, or both. Furthermore, even if properlyset initially, movements of the monitored items, such as in the case ofthe body, may change the sensor setting as a person changes bodypositions. Hence, without the control circuit 168 of FIG. 17, subsequentmanual resetting of the sensor, or manual adjustment of the systemparameters, may be periodically required.

FIG. 21 illustrates a process flow chart for the control circuit 168 ofFIGS. 17 and 18 illustrating the arrangement of the invention forautomatic adjustment of system parameters. The system starts with step260, applying a pulse to the sensor 160 by step 262. Step 262 appliesthe response from the pick up winding 44B of the sensor to the low gainamplifier step 266. The amplified output is applied to the high gainamplifier 186 in step 268. Upon occurrence of time T1 after theapplication of the pulse in step 262, in step 270 the sample and holdcircuit 198 is latched to store the DC level from the low gain amplifierat T1. Upon the occurrence of the subsequent time T2 in step 272 thesample and hold circuit 192 is latched to store the DC level of the highgain amplifier at T2. Thereafter at times T3-T4 in step 274 the outputfrom the sample and hold 198 is digitized to provide a first (gross)output indicative of the sensor displacements in digitized form, whileat subsequent times T4-T5 in step 276 the output of the sample and hold192 provides a second more sensitive or definitive output indicative ofsensor displacements in digitized form. The digital outputs of steps 274and 276 are processed in step 278 to create the data for outputting tothe computer 174 for the display step 280.

The output of step 276 is also applied to a system parameter controlstep 282. If the step 282 detects a system midrange operation condition,it signals a YES to the step 278 to output valid data. If systemmidrange operation was not detected, step 282 signals a NO to the adjustsample and hold timing step 384 to provide one of two outputs, HI andLO, to the change the latch timing parameters of the sample and holdcircuits in step 286. The step 286 adjusts the timing of T2 in adirection toward reaching system midrange operation. Time T1 remainsfixed so that the output of the low gain amplifier can be observed whilethe timing of T2 is changed, or can also be adjusted as illustrated bythe dashed line 270. The process is repeated until system midrangeoperation has been achieved.

FIGS. 22 and 23 provide a further explanation of the automated systemmidrange operation acquisition process of the invention. In FIG. 22 thecurve 300 represents the DC output from the high gain amplifier 186corresponding to selected output levels of the decaying sensor signals,amplified by for example a factor of 5×-100×. The amplifiers output arange of DC signal magnitudes between saturation 300C at time TX andzero volts at time TY (the zero cross over point monitoring systemreference). Operation from saturation 300C and zero cross over definesfull scale available system sensitivity depending upon the gainsselected for the amplifiers. The monitoring system of the inventionselects a point of operation adjacent to the zero cross over such astime T2C where a well defined region of the decaying signal reflects theinductive reaction of the input winding and changes therein due to therelative displacement of the coil 44 and core 52 that generally followsthe equations:

$V_{L} = {V_{0}\begin{bmatrix}{{\frac{\left( {{RC} + \alpha_{O}} \right)}{2\alpha_{O}}{\exp\left( {{- \frac{{RC} + \alpha_{O}}{2{LC}}}t} \right)}} -} \\{\frac{\left( {{RC} + \alpha_{O}} \right)}{2\alpha_{O}}{\exp\left( {{- \frac{{RC} + \alpha_{O}}{2{LC}}}t} \right)}}\end{bmatrix}}$for the under damped case or,

$V_{L} = {V_{0}\frac{RC}{\sqrt{LC}}{\exp\left( {\frac{- R}{2L}t} \right)}\begin{pmatrix}{{\left( \frac{{RC} - \frac{2L}{R}}{\alpha_{U}} \right){\cos\left( {{\frac{\alpha_{U}}{2{LC}}t} + \phi} \right)}} +} \\{\sin\left( {{\frac{\alpha_{U}}{2{LC}}t} + \phi} \right)}\end{pmatrix}}$for the over damped case where:

$\phi = {{- a}\mspace{11mu}{\tan\left( \frac{RC}{\alpha_{U}} \right)}}$$\alpha_{O} = \sqrt{{R^{2}C^{2}} - {4{LC}}}$$\alpha_{U} = \sqrt{{4{LC}} - {R^{2}C^{2}}}$

-   L=the inductance of the input winding 44A-   C=the capacitance of capacitor 96-   R=the resistance of resistor R1

Although a zero cross over point has been selected as the operationreference point it should be understood that a reference level above andbelow zero (positive or negative) could be selected as the referencepoint.

Assume at the start of the monitoring process that the position of thecore 52 within the coil 44 is such that the output from the high gainamplifier at time T2A, in response to the sensor output, produces asaturated signal as designated 300C. The microcontroller 164acknowledges the saturation digital value and performs a binary analysisrecognizing that the timing between the application of the pulse to thesensor and the latching of the sample and hold circuit 192 needs to beincreased. Assuming further that the microcontroller 164 changes thelatch timing to time T2B, in which case the curve 300 falls below zerovolts designated as 300B. The microcontroller 164 recognizes that themodification to the latch timing was too great, and selects a shorterdelay (one half of the difference). The process continues by incrementalsteps in shorter time segments until the time T2C is reached generallymidway between the high gain amplifier 186 saturation and zero output.

With regards to FIG. 23, with the system midrange timing operationselected, the output from the high gain amplifier 186, for example, canvary over the sensor operating range as illustrated between curves 304(lower core 52 insertion), and curve 306 (higher core 52 insertion).Curve 305 is at the midrange position. Level 308 is ideal systemmidrange operation, however the selected midrange of voltages may vary,for example between the system midrange levels 309A and 309B (selected,for example, to operate over 60% of the range of high gain amplifieroutput, between levels 311A and 311B) as long as the voltage detecteddoes not swing into saturation or fall below zero.

Assuming that the sensor moves and changes its initial midrange setting,such as in the case when monitoring body skin and the patient changesbody position, the system midrange timing setting initially selected mayneed to be changed wherein and the curves 304 or 306 at time T2 mayreach saturation, or drop below zero. The microcontroller 164 identifiesthe out of range conditions and will reset the timing parameters foroperation adjacent a new zero cross over point as new system midrangeoperation. Hence the monitoring system of the invention is adapted tochange its operating parameters to adapt the monitoring system to resetits operation reference point to a new zero cross over point. With thisarrangement accurate measurements of coil 44 and core 52 relativedisplacements have been made over 80% of the range of the sensor. Therange of the sensor can be expanded for example by compensating fornon-linearity introduced near the ends of the coil 44 by increasing thewindings of wire near the ends.

On the other hand, if a series of movements detected by the sensor attime T2 are so large as to drive the output of the high gain amplifier186 beyond both saturation and below zero, the microcontroller 164 canreduce the gain parameters of the system, such as for example lower thegain of the low gain amplifier, or the high gain amplifier, or both.

FIG. 24 is a software flow diagram describing the binary analysis usedby the microcontroller 164 for selecting system timing and gainparameter settings. The start step 310 initiates step 312 to apply apulse to the sensor 160. After the time delay of T1 of step 314, step316 allows the sample and hold circuit 198 to latch and store themagnitude of the low gain amplifier signal present at T1 and to continueto store the signal until time T5. After the delay of T1, at time T2,step 318, the step 320 allows the sample and hold circuit 192 to latchand store the magnitude of the high gain amplifier signal present at T2and to continue to store the signal until time T5.

During times T3-T4 a step 316 outputs a range of binary signals betweendigital values of 0-1023 (such as with a 10 bit A/D converter)corresponding to the magnitudes of the signals stored in the low gainsample and hold circuit 198 as latched at time T1. During times T4-T5the step 320 outputs binary signals between digital values (such as0-1023) corresponding to the magnitudes of the signals latched in thesample and hold circuit 192 at time T2. A reduced range of digitalvalues of 200-800 (out of 0-1023) has been selected for system midrangeoperation (corresponding to the range of DC levels between points 309Aand 309B of FIG. 23). It should be understood that the digital valuesset forth above are exemplary and other values could be used.

If the output received by step 324 is within the range or 200-800, a YESsignal is sent to step 328 indicating the high gain output is validenabling the microcontroller 164 to output definitive output signalsindicative of the sensor displacements to computer 174. If the outputreceived by step 324 is less than the digital value 200, a NO signal isapplied to step 330, which applies an enable signal to step 332 todecrease the timing of T2 in step 318. If the output received by step324 is greater than the digital value 800, a NO signal is applied tostep 338, to increase the timing of T2 in step 318. It should be notedthat the initial system timing and gain parameters control process couldtake place even while the sensor is being attached to the monitored itemand while it is moving (such as skin contraction and expansion duringbreathing). The other enabling signal for steps 332 and 338 is receivedin the form of a YES output from step 322 indicating that the low gainwas within the binary range of digital values 200 to 800. The YES outputof step 322 is also applied to step 326 indicating that the low gainoutput is within the range of operation (valid output) enabling themicrocontroller 164 to output the gross output signals of systemoperation. If the output received by step 322 is less than the digitalvalue 200 or greater than 800, a NO signal is applied to step 338 whichapplies a YES signal to the alarm step 339 and to the system gain adjuststep 340, in which case the gain of the low gain amplifier 184 isadjusted.

Alternately, if the scope of movement of the core 52 within the coil 44exceeds the range of the high gain amplifier 186, instead of adjustingthe gain of the low gain amplifier 184, step 324 can adjust the gain ofhigh gain amplifier to encompass the expanded range of movement (notshown). Also, if desired, the time T1 can also be adjusted via theadjust T1 step 341.

Hence it can be seen that the control circuit 168 controls the operatingparameters of the sample and hold circuit latch timing relative to theinput signal and/or the gain of the amplifiers, for matching the linearimpedance changes within the scope of the sensor displacements to therange of selected digital signals (200-800) for achieving systemmidrange operation. With both the amplifier gains set for a desireddegree of sensitivity (such as 100×), and with the range of digitizedsample and hold DC magnitudes selected for midrange operation (such as200-800 out of 0-1023 corresponding to 0.65 to 2.58 volts out of asupply of 3.3 volts) for midrange operation, the control circuit 168varies the timing between latching and the application of a pulse to thesensor (T2 and if desired T1) so that when the scope of the magnitudesof impedances of the sensor outputs fall within the selected digitalrange (200-800) for midrange operation. If the sample and holdmagnitudes exceed the selected range, near saturation or near zerooutput, (above 800 or below 200) the latch timing will be reset toencompass the change of magnitudes. If the sample and hold magnitudesexceed the selected range both above and below (above 800 bits and below200 bits) the sensitivity of the system can be reduced by decreasing thegain of the amplifiers. The objective is to adjust the system timing andsensitivity for operation optimized for monitoring the scope ofdisplacements.

In accordance with the invention a plurality of sensors can be arrangedin a positional array representing topographical movements in severaldirections and locations, such as for example, of the skin of thestomach of a woman in labor, and computer 174 algorithms can be used tocoordinate all the data for an overall diagnosis. FIG. 25 shows amonitoring arrangement in which multiple sensors are employed, such asfor example measuring displacements in various directions. The pulsegenerators 170A-170N apply pulses to separate sensors 160A-160N. Eachsensor 160A-160N outputs signals via the DMUX 356 to the amplifier andsample and hold circuit 352 and A/D converter circuit 354 to themicrocontroller 164. Timing circuit 358 controls the latch time of thesample and hold circuits 352 under the control of the microcontroller164 via the system parameter control circuit 360.

The timing sequence for the multi-sensor embodiment of FIG. 25 formultiple sensors can include the following steps:

-   -   1) initiate the data test cycle of sensor 160A by interrupting        the system sleep power saving mode of operating and toggling the        amplifiers on,    -   2) apply pulse to sensor 160A,    -   3) after a delay of about 2.5 μsec (T1) connect the output of        low gain amplifier to its sample and hold circuit,    -   4) after a delay of about 1.5 μsec disconnect and therefore        latch the average output of the low gain amplifier during step        3,    -   5) after a delay of 0-15 μsec (variable T2) connect the high        gain amplifier to its sample and hold circuit,    -   6) after a delay of about 1.5 μsec disconnect and therefore        latch the average output of the high gain amplifier during step        5,    -   7) perform an A/D conversion of the low gain sample and hold        voltage (100 μsec),    -   8) perform an A/D conversion of the high gain sample and hold        voltage (100 μsec),    -   9) place the system in the power savings sleep mode and toggle        amplifiers off until the initiation of the next sensor test        cycle,    -   10) repeat steps 1-9 for the rest of the sensors,    -   11) commence re-charging all the capacitors in the pulse        generators (1.5 msec),    -   12) store digital data from all sensors in dedicated data FLASH        memory (8 msec),    -   13) transmit data to computer (1 msec), and    -   14) place system in power savings sleep mode and toggle the        amplifiers off until the next test cycle is initiated.

Since the A/D converters are sensitive to ground bounce noise, thecharging and discharging of the pulse generators capacitors should nottake place while the A/D conversion process is underway. The consistencyof timing from the discharge step 1 to the latch steps 4 and 6 iscritical, so that a crystal oscillator as opposed to an RC oscillator ispreferred for use as the system high frequency clock.

The timing involved in the monitoring system of the invention has theadvantage of providing a responsive system for monitoring rapid changes.On the other hand if the system is used to monitor relatively slowchanges such as monitoring breathing, the increased time in sleep modewith the reduced duty cycle will conserve battery power.

FIGS. 26A through 26D include flow diagrams that illustrate thefunctions of exemplary software programs for the invention. The softwareprograms include a main program and subroutines that are used to controlthe operations of the system, including the power saving sleep mode ofoperation to reduce power drawn from the batteries. The monitoringcircuit 162 and the microcontroller 164 have several different clockdomains for the CPU, input/output, FLASH, and A/D converters. All thesedomains run off a high frequency crystal clock (some at stepped downfrequencies). The asynchronous system timer runs off a low frequencycrystal clock. When the system is being used in the ambulatory mode, andthe sleep mode is initiated, all clock domains are shut down, except theasynchronous timer and the current consumption drops from milliamps tomicroamps. When the microcontroller 164 is connected to transmit data tothe computer 174, the input/output domain requires operation and standbycurrent is in the milliamp region. However this does not impact thebattery power supply since the interface 165 between the microcontroller164 and the computer 174 has its own power supply and a 3.3 volt output.The programs used in this invention were written for an 8 bitmicrocontroller using “C++” and machine language programming, and codefor the computer was written with “Visual Basic”. However, the inventionis not limited by this selection of electronics, microprocessor,programming language or any of the programming methods described herein.

The flow diagram of FIG. 26A begins for the main program beginning atstart 448. The system parameters are initialized in step 450 in whichkey system variables such as capacitor discharge and sample and holdlatch timing are set to starting values and system buffers are cleared.In step 452 the system timer is started and the system is put into thesleep mode 453. In this mode, various operations requiring powerconsumption are disabled to save power while waiting for an interruptsignal. An interrupt signal can come from the system timer interrupt 456or the computer keyboard interrupt 458 which are described with regardto FIGS. 26B, 26C, and 26D.

When the functions called by an interrupt are complete, the systemreturns to either timer interrupt return 456 or keyboard interruptreturn 458 depending on the type of interrupt. After returning from theinterrupt, a flag to test whether to transmit data is checked in step460. If yes, data is transmitted in step 462. The system then moves totest whether to save the data in step 464. If yes, data is saved inFLASH memory 466. The system then moves to test whether to read the datain stored in FLASH memory in step 468. If yes, the data is read in step470. The system then moves to test whether to transmit the systemparameters 472. If yes, the system parameters are transmitted in step474. The system then moves back to step 453 to enter sleep mode andbegin the process again. The system timer continues to run continuouslyand asynchronously so that the period between measurements is notimpacted by any of the decision tree steps 460, 464, 468 or 472 or bythe initiation of sleep mode.

In FIG. 26B, the functions of the system timer are illustrated beginningwith step 452 to start the timer. In step 480, a counter established aset point for a timed interrupt and is incremented. In step 482, thecounter is compared with the system timer. If the counter value is lessthan the timer value, the system returns to incrementing the counter instep 480. When the value of counter equals the clock value, the systemmoves to step 484 to reset the counter. Then the timer interrupt step486 is then executed moving the system from the sleep mode 453 (FIG.26A) to the timer interrupt 486 shown in the process flow of FIG. 26C.

In FIG. 26C, the timer interrupt subroutine begins at block 486 thatstarts the high frequency clock of step 481. A test is performed in step490 to determine if the data collection flag has been set to “yes.” If“yes,” the system progresses to step 492 in which capacitor 96 isdischarged. This initiates the beginning of the data generation process.After the capacitor discharge step 492, the system will wait time T1 instep 494, to latch the low gain data in step 496. The system will thenwait time T2 in step 498 to latch the high gain data in step 500. Thesystem will perform an analog to digital conversion process of thelatched low gain data in step 496 and then the high gain data of step500. The timing T2 may need to be adjusted. This operation is performedin step 504. The capacitor 96 (FIG. 11) is then re-charged in step 506,and the system returns to the main program at step 456, timer interruptreturn in FIG. 26A.

The process flow for a keyboard interrupt of the computer 174 isdemonstrated in FIG. 26D. The keyboard interrupt 514 is a manualinterrupt to the system that starts the high frequency clock in step515. The command interpreter step 516 responsive to the high frequencyclock signal enables data to be received from the keyboard. A number ofkeyboard inputs are assigned specific commands that the system canexecute. A keyboard input of an “a” 518 will toggle the data collectionflag to on (or off) in step 520. A keyboard input of a “b” 522 willtoggle the system to print (or not to print) data in a real time mode instep 524. A keyboard input of “c” 526 will reduce the frequency of thedata collection step by one half of the current frequency of step 528.An input of “d” 530 will cause the system to double the data collectionfrequency as show in step 532. If the system receives a keyboard inputof “e” 534 it will read the data from the microcontroller 164 FLASHmemory as in step 536. An input of “f” 538 will cause the system tostore data to the FLASH memory in step 540. An input of “g” 542 from thekeyboard will toggle the power consumption during sleep mode 453 as instep 544. An input of “h” 546 will toggle the print settings flag instep 548. A plurality of additional keyboard inputs are included in thisinvention and the capability of providing manual input to the system isnot limited to the features described herein. Upon completion of theprocess initiated by the keyboard interrupt, the system will move to thekeyboard interrupt return 458 and back to the processes associated withthe main program illustrated in FIG. 26A. In addition, certain of thesecommands may be given by the microcontroller 164 due to external input.For example, the system can determine through an input whether or not itis connected to an external connector and toggle the sleep setting andthe “print” setting accordingly. As another example, the system candetermine through an input whether or not it is connected to an externalconnector, and if not connected automatically commence storing the datato non-volatile FLASH memory.

FIG. 27 shows a plot of voltage versus time of the output of the systemof the invention with a sensor connected to the body chest to measurerespiration illustrating as twelve cycles of breathing over 139 secondswith 130 data outputs from the high gain sample and hold 192 with atiming pulse applied approximately each second. The system midrangeoperation for the test was approximately 2.1 volts.

With a one second data test cycle, the system full power operation ofthe invention is about 990 milliseconds for a test data duty cycle ofabout 0.1% of the test and thereafter placed in a sleep modesignificantly reducing the power drain on the system watch typebatteries.

FIG. 28 is a plot of system operation as a function of the insertion ofthe sensor rod 52 within the coil 40 in about 125 micron steps toillustrate the automated system timing parameter changes. Curve 550illustrates the low gain data output (2× amplification). Curves 552-558illustrate the high gain data output (added 10× amplification).

In this instance, the low gain output was found to be relatively linearover a sensor displacement in the range of 2000 microns.

With regard to the high gain output, starting at point 552A (low initialcore insertion) the system output increases relatively linearly with rodinsertions in steps of about 125 microns over approximately 625 micronsof displacement until point 522B. Core insertion beyond point 522B (1000microns) results in out of range condition and the control systeminitiates a change of timing parameter sequence and the system jumps tofollow the curve 554 with a new system midrange setting. The timingparameter of the system was changed again beyond approximately 1500microns to jump and follow curve 556, and again at approximately beyond2150 microns to jump and follow curve 558, providing generally linearsystem operation for over 2500 microns.

Up to this point, the invention has primarily discussed an arrangementwherein the voltage magnitude of the output from the sensor has beenmeasured at a set time or times. Since the output from the sensor isvoltage magnitude vs. time, it is equally viable for the deformation bymeasuring the time at which the output crosses a set voltage magnitude.FIG. 29 discloses an embodiment of the monitoring system of theinvention including a time based system in contrast to the magnitudebased system of FIG. 18. Under the control of the timing circuit 570 apulse is applied to the sensor 160 by the pulse generator 170 and alsostarts a timer circuit 576. The decaying response of the sensor 160 isapplied to an amplifier 578. Depending upon the sensitivity desired, theamplifier 578 can be deleted. The output of the amplifier is applied toa comparator circuit 580. The comparator circuit compares the magnitudeof the output from the amplifier 578 to the level from the referencecircuit 582. The reference can for example be a selected voltagereference or selected digital level. If the reference is a digitallevel, the comparator will include an A/D converter and can, forexample, use a digital level of 512 (half of 0-1023). When the voltageinput goes below the reference, a comparison is validated, and the countreached by the timer circuit 576 is applied to the microcontroller 164to provide an indication of displacement of the sensor 160. Themicrocontroller 164 outputs displacement indications to the computer 174that applies displacement data to the display unit 166. Since theoperation of the system of FIG. 29 is time based, depending upon thesensitivity desired, the frequency of the system clock may need to besignificantly increased over that for the system of FIG. 18. Themicrocontroller 164 can also control the magnitude of the output fromthe reference circuit 582 (via the system parameter control 180) toprovide a midrange parameter control for the system.

FIG. 30 is a combination of the systems of FIGS. 18 and 29. Thetime-based system of FIG. 29 is used to replace the low gain circuitryof FIG. 18 (sample and hold circuit 198, and A/D converter 196) toprovide the low gain data (general indication of the sensordisplacement) while the high gain data processing remains the same.

The amplifier 578, comparator 580 and timer 586 operate as previouslydescribed with respect to FIG. 29 to provide the low gain data toprocessor 164 on line 191. The amplifier 186, sample and hold 192, A/Dconverter 194, system parameter select 180, and sample and hold latchtiming 234 operate as previously described with respect to FIG. 18. Withthis arrangement, the binary searches provided by the microcontroller164 can be eliminated, since the system can utilize the informationprovided by the timer 576 in order to set the sample and hold timing234.

The sensor and monitoring apparatus of the invention has been describedabove for monitoring relative movements without correlation to a zeroreference point or starting point, which for many uses reference pointsare not needed. Further, since the sensor of the invention is Qinsensitive, any changes in the intrinsic resistance of the windings dueto variations in temperature do not materially vary the inductivereactance exhibited by the sensor. However the inductive reactanceexhibited by the sensor varies with changes in the permeability of corewith variations of temperature. In many uses the sensor will be inenvironments that do not experience significant temperature changes,therefore core sensitivity to temperature will not impact the use of thesensor.

FIGS. 31, 33, and 35 include sensor circuit arrangements employingmultiple coil windings and a single core adapted to be positioned withthe sensor windings that, depending upon the specific configuration,provide: indications of movements relative to a reference position, veryaccurate indications of movements, generally temperature insensitiveoperation, directions of movements, and temperature measurements. Theoutputs of FIGS. 33 and 35 are provided that are proportional to theratio of inductive reactance of the input excitation windings and notimpedance.

FIG. 31 includes a sensor circuit 601 wherein the excitation winding isdivided into two separate windings 604A and 604B that function as asingle winding and a single core 603 (illustrated symbolically by twoarrows) adapted to move and extend into the windings 604A and 604Capproximately equally, and to extend into windings 604B and 604Dapproximately equally. A pulse from the capacitor 96 is dischargedthrough resistor 600, the series connected windings 604A and 604B, andthe resistor 602. The two pick up windings 604C and 604D are connectedin series to oppose each other. The circuit provides a sensorarrangement wherein at sensor mid-point core position the output of thepick up windings are nullified, thereby providing an accurate positionsensor circuit arrangement that is essentially temperature insensitive,particularly if the voltage is sensed as close as possible to thecapacitor discharge. The reason for the insensitivity to temperature atthe initial discharge is that this embodiment gives a voltage out thatis the supply voltage (the voltage across the capacitor 96) multipliedby the ratio of the difference of the inductance between the windings604A and 604B to the sum of the inductance of those same windings, henceindependent of the core relative permeability and coil resistance. Thezero crossing time can also be monitored as a sensitive indication oftemperature drift.

FIG. 32 includes a plot of the waveform outputs of the sensor circuitarrangement of FIG. 31. The position of core 603 relative to the twoexcitation windings 604A and 604B is illustrated for three examples ofcore disposition. In the position 611A the core 603 has a deepdisplacement within winding 604A (and lesser in 604B) having an outputrepresented by curve 609A, in the position 611B the core 603 is lessdisplaced within winding 604A having an output represented by curve609B, and in the position of 611C the core 603 is equally displaced inwindings 604A and 604B having an output represented by curve 609C. Withsimilar larger displacement within winding 604B, the outputs arerepresented by the curves 609D and 609E. As can be seen, when equal coredisplacement is achieved, a zero signal is outputted, and hence anaccurate indication of position is provided which can be used as acontrol signal for controlling the position of the item being monitored.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram of a monitoring circuit of the invention foruse with the sensor circuit 601 of FIG. 31. A pulse is applied by thegenerator 170 to the series excitation windings 604A and 604B of thesensor 601. The difference output from the pick up windings 604C and604D, as illustrated by the curves of FIG. 32, can have a positive ornegative polarity, depending upon the positioning of the core 603.Because of the polarity changes from the sensor 601, the amplifier 581,the sample and hold 583, and the inverter 584 are bipolar signalresponsive circuits. Alternately the ground connections of the sensorcircuit 601 can be replaced with an offset power supply voltage to allowthe output from the sensor circuit 601 to vary about a positivereference. Since the microcontroller 164 only responds to signals of asingular polarity (usually positive), the inverter circuit 584 providesa positive output when the sensor circuit output is negative as soidentified by the sample and hold 583 via the connection 584 to themicrocontroller 164.

The sensor circuit 617 of FIG. 34 includes two excitation windings 610and 612 including a single core 615 (illustrated symbolically by twoarrows) adapted to extend into both windings and separate capacitors 614and 616 to apply pulses of current through winding 610 and resistor 618and winding 612 and resistor 620 respectively. Separate pick up windings622 and 624 are connected in series opposition to subtract signals.

FIG. 35 includes a plot of the waveform outputs of the sensor circuitarrangement of FIG. 33. The position of core 615 relative to the twoexcitation windings 610 and 612 is illustrated for three examples ofdisposition. In the position 623A the core 615 has an effective deeperdisplacement within winding 610 and lesser in winding 612, having anoutput represented by curve 621A, in the position 623B the core 615 isless displaced within winding 610 and more in winding 612 having anoutput represented by curve 621B, and in the position of 623C the coreis equally displaced in windings 610 and 612 having an outputrepresented by curve 621C. With similar larger displacement withinwinding 621, the outputs are represented by the curves 621D and 621E. Ascan be seen, the curves of FIG. 35 are of positive and negative polarityand are initially close to zero volts at time T0 and have a zerocrossing at time T1. A very accurate measurement of displacement, with avery low signal to noise ratio, relative to directions about a referencepoint, can be achieved by integrating the output between times T0 andT1, particularly in noisy situations for improved signal to noise ratio.The integrated waveform itself would not be strictly temperatureinsensitive at other than the neutral state, since subtraction of thesignals does not effectively nullify temperature effects in an offsetcondition. The peak value of the waveforms are temperature insensitive,particularly when the individual windings are in an over dampedcondition. An indication of temperature drift can be achieved bymonitoring the zero crossing time.

FIG. 36 is a block diagram of a monitoring circuit of the invention foruse with the sensor circuit 617 of FIG. 34. A pulse is simultaneouslyapplied by the generator 170 to both the excitation windings 610 and 612of the sensor 617. The difference output from the pick up windings 622and 624, as illustrated by the curves of FIG. 35, have two zero voltcrossings and can have a positive or negative polarity, depending uponthe positioning of the core 615. Because of the polarity changes fromthe sensor 617, the amplifier 625, the integrator 626, the inverters 627and 628 and the peak detector 629 are bipolar signal responsivecircuits. Alternately the ground connections of the sensor circuit 617can be replaced with an offset power supply voltage to allow the outputfrom the sensor circuit 617 to vary about a positive reference. Sincethe curves of FIG. 35 have two zero points, the signal output from thesensor 617 can be integrated between two points to provide an outputsignal to the inverter 627 having increased signal to noise ratio. Sincethe microprocessor 164 only responds to signals of a singular polarity(usually positive), the inverter circuit 627 provides a positive outputwhen the sensor circuit output is negative as so identified by theintegrator 626 via the connection 619 to the microprocessor 164. Thesignal from the integrator 626 is applied to the peak detector 629directly or through an inverter 628. The peak detector having a sampleand hold circuit for each polarity selects the peak value of a curve toprovide an output that is independent of temperature. The systemparameter control 180 controls the start, stop and reset of theintegrator 626 and the peak detector 629. Care should be taken tocontrol the value of the parasitics in the sensor circuit, as animbalance in the parasitics can for example prevent the voltage at timeTo from being zero and build in a finite slope in curve 621C.Compensation circuitry can be added to offset such imbalance.

The sensor circuit 635 of FIG. 37 includes two sensors, each havingexcitation windings 630 and 632 and separate pick up windings 642 and644 respectively and a single core 631 (illustrated symbolically by twoarrows) adapted to extend into both windings. Separate capacitors 634and 636 apply current pulses through the winding 630 and resistor 638and winding 632 and resistor 640 respectively. The pick up windings 642and 644 provide separate outputs are responsive to the pulse excitationof windings 630 and 632 respectively. The zero crossing time, or otherconvenient decay time of each pick up winding is monitored to provide atime based measuring system. The ratio thus obtained gives an indicationof displacement that is temperature insensitive.

FIG. 38 includes a plot of the waveform outputs of the sensor circuit ofFIG. 35. The position of core 631 relative to the two excitationwindings 630 and 632 is illustrated for three examples of disposition.In the position 643A the core 631 has a deeper displacement withinwinding 630 and lesser displacement in winding 632 having outputsrepresented by curves 645A and 645E, in the position 643B the core 631has moved toward the neutral position having outputs represented bycurves 645B and 645D, and in the position of 643C the core 631 is in theneutral position equally displaced in windings 630 and 632 having anoutput represented by curve 645C. As can be seen the two sensor haveseparate outputs with two separate zero crossings. A very accurate ofdisplacement can be achieved by measuring the time when each curvecrosses zero, and then ratioing the zero crossing times to provide anaccurate indication of displacement that is essentially temperatureinsensitive. Again ratioing provides constant readings despite changesin the relative permeability of the core, particularly in the overdamped condition. In addition, the average of the zero crossing timescan be monitored as an indication of the temperature.

The two separate outputs from the sensor circuit 635 can be applied toseparate monitoring circuit of FIG. 29 for processing. Triggers can beestablished such that at times from T0 to the individual sensor outputcrossing points are monitored, or alternately the time between zero andthe first sensor output crossing point can be obtained followed byobtaining the time between the first sensor output crossing point andthe second sensor output crossing point.

Although the circuits disclosed in FIGS. 31, 34 and 37 are illustratedwith separate resistors, it should be understood that these resistor canrepresent the intrinsic resistance of the windings or externalresistors. Further since the capacitive pulsing of the sensors areillustrated as series circuits, the position of the resistors andwinding can be interchanged. While the capacitors are shown as separatecapacitors in FIGS. 31, 34 and 37, meaningful measurements can also bemade by combining these two capacitors into a single capacitor. Inaddition, input coils (shown in alliance) and the pick up coils (shownin opposition) can be rearranged wherein the input coils are inopposition and the output coils are in alliance.

In the embodiments of the system apparatus of the invention describedabove the microcontroller 164 outputs digital data indicative of thesensor displacement to the computer 174, which can be, for example astandard lap top computer including a screen and an alarm for providingvisual and audible outputs of the display unit 166. The computer 174also provides a control signal that can be used for controlling themovements of the object being monitored. However it should be understoodthat the microcontroller 164 and the computer 174 can be combined in asingle unit specifically tailored to function as a single piece ofspecialized medical monitoring equipment, such as found in medicaltesting apparatus only needing to be plugged in to power and the sensorsattached to the patient under test.

The invention provides solutions for applications requiring themonitoring delicate items or flexible membrane, such as skin, withinsignificant interference from the monitoring apparatus. Byinsignificant interference it is meant that the sensor, its size, itsmass, its loose fitting parts (for longitudinal, rotation and wobble)and the flexible electrical connections thereto does not placerestrictive forces on the portion or part of the membrane under testhaving a magnitude that would detrimentally impact the accuracy of themeasurements.

The invention, as described in previous embodiments, may be attached tothe human skin in a variety of positions and in multiple locations. Inits miniaturized form the tiny, lightweight sensor does not require thecumbersome use of jackets or belts that inhibit freedom of movement andare uncomfortable for long periods of time. This invention permitssensitive surveillance in the micron range allowing monitoring for smallchanges in breathing patterns of a sleeping infant or adult while barelyperceptible the wearer.

The design of the sensor provides the capability of making sensors smallin size allowing their placement on nearly all areas of the body such asthe chest, abdomen, neck, back, and penis, legs, arms among others,allowing invention to be used for observing a wide variety ofphysiological symptoms. In an embodiment, the sensor may be attached tothe skin with a “Band-aid” type bandage, for easy installation by lessskilled technicians and provide protection for the sensor from outsideinterference, like clothing.

On the other hand, if monitoring massive objects, such as for example,automobile shock absorbers, where the sensor would be exposed todifficult environmental conditions, the loose mechanical fit may not beappropriate, requiring seals and sealed electrical connections, but soas not to interfere with the shock absorber operation. However, the coiland sensor configuration, the excitation of the sensor by pulses and theoutput of decaying signals, the monitoring circuits, systems, and methodof the invention will apply to such ruggedized versions of the sensor ofthe invention.

The monitoring system of the invention also includes an automatic systemparameter presetting or adjusting arrangement that provides correctedsystem operation should conditions change. With this type of arrangementthe sensor does not significantly impact the freedom of a patient'smovement, allowing the patient to more easily continue with many normalactivities. If a sudden movement should interrupt the monitoringprocess, the system will be automatically reset.

Additionally, a plurality of the sensors may be placed such that theycover a wide range of area on the human body as in the case of laborcontractions in abdomen of a pregnant woman. Sensors may be place invarious patterns on the abdomen to track deformations such as expansionand contraction of the skin in a topographical array to provide analysisof skin displacements which may occur in waves.

Specific applications and exemplary embodiments of the invention havebeen illustrated and discussed, which provides a basis for practicingthe invention in a variety of ways and in a variety of applications.Numerous variations are possible within the scope of the invention.Features and elements associated with one or more of the describedembodiments are not to be construed as required elements for allembodiments. Other changes and modifications in the specificallydescribed embodiments can be carried out without departing from theprincipals of the invention that is intended to be limited only by thescope of the appended claims, as interpreted in accordance with theprincipals of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.

1. A sensor system for monitoring the displacement between movable partsof an object comprising: an electrical sensor comprising two components,one component being adapted to be positioned within the other forgenerally linear movement there between, and having input and outputcircuits, wherein the electrical impedance of the sensor changes as afunction of the relative displacement between the components, thecomponents of the sensor being adapted to be attached to differentmovable parts of the object for providing impedance changescorresponding to displacements; a circuit for applying pulses to theinput circuit wherein the output winding outputs decaying signals, therate of decay being a function of the relative displacement between thecomponents, and a monitoring circuit is responsive to the output signaldecay rate for providing indications of the displacements between themovable parts of the object, wherein the sensor components comprises acoil having an input winding and an output winding and a magnetic coreextending into the coil for generally linear relative movement therebetween, wherein the inductance of the sensor changes as a function ofthe relative displacement between the core and the coil, the coil andcore being adapted to be attached to different movable parts of theobject, wherein the monitoring circuit comprises a circuit for measuringthe amplitude of the decaying signal after the application of the pulsesto the sensor as an indication of the displacements, wherein themonitoring circuit includes a storage circuit for storing the magnitudesof the decaying signals at selected times subsequent to the applicationof the electrical pulses, wherein the monitoring circuit varies therelative timing between the application of the electrical pulses and theoperation of the storage circuit, and wherein the monitoring circuitcomprises: a circuit for amplifying the magnitude of the decayingsignals and applying the value of the amplified signals at controlledtimes to the storage circuit; a circuit for sensing when the values ofthe decaying signals from the amplifying circuit are in saturation orbelow a reference level, and the control circuit is responsive to thesensing circuit to adjusts the controlled times in a direction so thatthe amplifier circuit operates between saturation and the referencelevel.
 2. A sensor system as defined in claim 1 comprising: an analog todigital converter circuit for converting the magnitudes of the storagecircuit to digital form, and the control circuit performs an analysis ofthe digital signals to determine when the magnitudes of the decayingsignals fall within saturation and reference level operating range ofthe amplifying circuit.
 3. A sensor system as defined in claim 2 whereinthe control circuit determines when the magnitudes of the decayingsignals from the amplifier approach saturation or the reference levelfor varying the relative timing between the application of theelectrical pulses and the operation of the storage circuit.
 4. A sensorsystem as defined in claim 3 comprising apparatus for providing a visualdisplay of the magnitudes of the decaying signals stored in the storagecircuit as an indication of the displacement between the movableportions of the object.
 5. Monitoring apparatus for use with a sensorthat includes at least two movable parts adapted to be attached toseparate parts of an object, and wherein the electrical impedance of thesensor varies as a function of the disposition of the two parts relativeto each other, the apparatus comprising: a circuit for applying timeseparated electrical pulses to the sensor, and a circuit for analyzingthe response of the sensor to the electrical pulses in the form of adecaying signals, the duration of which is a function of the impedanceof the sensor, to provide an indication of changes in the dispositionbetween the movable parts, wherein the analyzing circuit selects thetiming for making subsequent measurements so that the level ofmagnitudes is within a predetermined range, wherein the analyzingcircuit comprises: an amplifier circuit for amplifying the magnitude ofthe decaying signals, wherein the response of the amplifier is adaptedto be driven into non-linear operation, and wherein the predeterminedrange of magnitudes for selecting the timing falls within the linearoperation of the amplifier; and wherein the analyzing circuit determineswhen the output of the amplifier is driven near the non-linear operationof the amplifier to change the timing for subsequent measurements. 6.Monitoring apparatus for use with a sensor that includes at least twomovable parts adapted to be attached to separate parts of an object, andwherein the electrical impedance of the sensor varies as a function ofthe disposition of the two parts relative to each other, the apparatuscomprising: a circuit for applying time separated electrical pulses tothe sensor, and a circuit for analyzing the response of the sensor tothe electrical pulses in the form of a decaying signals, the duration ofwhich is a function of the impedance of the sensor, to provide anindication of changes in the disposition between the movable parts,wherein the sensor includes a coil and a ferromagnetic core adapted tobe located for movement within the coil, the coil and core being adaptedto be attached to separate movable parts of an object, and the inductivereactance of the sensor varies as a function of the disposition of thecoil and core relative to each other over the scope of movements, andwherein the analyzing circuit comprises: one or more operationparameters, and a control circuit programmed to process a range ofsignals from the sensor and for resetting the operation parameters ofthe analysis circuit in the event the sensor inductive reactance changesexceed the range.
 7. Monitoring apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherethe analyzing circuit comprises an amplifier and the control circuitmonitors the output of the amplifier circuit to determine when the rangeof amplified signals exceeds the linear operation of the amplifier forresetting the parameters of the analyzing circuit for amplifier linearoperation.
 8. Monitoring apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein theamplifier is a variable gain amplifier, and the control circuit monitorsthe output of the amplifier circuit to modify the gain of the amplifierif the amplifier operates at levels approaching saturation or zero.